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Friday, February 15, 2013

Must We Have Politics Served As a Side Dish to Homesteading?

When I post something political on the HomesteadRevival Facebook page, I always receive at least one comment asking me to keep
politics out of homesteading. Must we include political discussions in our
endeavors to homestead?

Unfortunately, yes.

Look... I don't want to stir up emotions or hard feelings here. I don't want to be a conspiracy
theorist. Nor do I want to see evil lurking behind every tree. But freedom of choice in our country is rapidly disappearing and I never dreamed it would be food related. It's becoming harder and harder to pretend we don't have a food issue. (Perhaps I'm preaching to the choir here... please bear with me.)

Wherever there is money, there is the potential
for priorities to become skewed. Now you may not THINK agricultural endeavors
are big business (because seriously, none of us are getting rich at this,
right?), but on a national level, Big Ag IS making serious money. We don't see
it because it's only a handful of corporations that ARE Big Ag (Monsanto,
Cargill, DuPont, etc.)

Besides the money issue, there are only a few things that
are REALLY necessary for life, and food is at the top of the list along with
water and air. If you look back over history, you’ll realize wars have been
fought over food resources and for centuries, the trading of food has been
considered a form of monetary exchange. Those with available food (and land, because
land equals more food potential) were considered the wealthy and often had “noble”
status. ReadSalt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky to get an idea of how just one food commodity changed nations.

So... why do we bury our head in the sand and say that food is
not political? Sure, I’d MUCH rather hang out with my goats and chickens, munch
sugar snaps straight off the vine, sing kum-ba-ya, and ignore the political
roar in the background. But as in most generations since Adam and Eve, our food
supply is at risk and we need to be alert,
attentive, and active. The only difference since the dawn of time is the
players and venue have changed, but the fight is as old as the hills.

ALERT

Be aware that someone wants your food supply under their
control… Big Ag. The UN. Honestly, it’s so big; it’s kind of hard to identify
all the players. The point is to know that this is happening and acknowledge the fact you can’t
ignore it.

ATTENTIVE

Set aside some time each week to do some research… thirty
minutes, an hour, whatever you can carve out. Watch for laws and regulations that will limit your freedom
to purchase or grow food of your choice. Find some good news sources that gives reliable information and read them weekly. Farm to Consumer is a good example.

ACTIVE

Reposting news and information on Facebook, Twitter, and
blogs is excellent. The more people that can be educated about current food and
farming restrictions, the better. But don’t stop there. Write a letter.
Financially support a group that lobbies for a cause you believe in, such as
raw milk sales. Take part in a rally. Join a CSA and support a small farmer.
Refuse to buy Big Ag products (in as much as it is humanly possible). Grow and raise your own groceries and share the bounty when possible and tell the recipient why you do it (they're bound to ask)!

Current News You
Should Be Aware Of

As of January 1, 2013, the fight against small farmers and
food freedom seems to have hit a new high. Perhaps Monsanto feels energized
from their recent victory in California over the defeat of food labeling laws on GMO products. Here's a few examples...

If you’re still reading at this point, I commend you! I
realize that you’re probably very angry. Angry at me, angry at those who would
seek to take away your income, and probably even angry at Big Ag who tends to
make life difficult, squeezing out every bit of profit they can (which often
means you and your family make the sacrifices directly, not the corporate heads). I recognize the hard
work you do and your desire to provide others with food. It’s a noble calling
indeed and many don’t acknowledge or appreciate what you do.

Let me throw out a few thoughts for you to ponder…

• Is the current method of conventional farming really seem sustainable? In other words, do you feel that current farming methods are
realistic on an on going basis?

• Does it seem logical that every year the rules/requirements change;
often dramatically?

• Are you having to work two or three jobs just to make ends
meet? • Is this how your grandparents farmed? great-grandparents? What would they say about the methods we're using today?• Are you feeling peace about your stewardship calling (based on Genesis 1:28-30 AND Proverbs 12:10a)?

Final Thoughts

In case you’re not sure where I stand politically, let me
lay it out clearly:

• I am an ultra conservative on moral issues such as
abortion, religion, etc.

• I am very conservative on constitutional issues such as
gun rights, free speech, etc.

• I’m in a class not
covered by liberals or conservatives when it comes to environmental issues –
following Genesis, I believe we are to take dominion over the earth and subdue
it, but I do not believe that means destroying massive parts of it and then ask
God to fix it. We are to be good stewards of the earth without worshipping creation itself. So often it may APPEAR I’m an environmental
liberal, but I'm not. Neither am I a traditional conservative in this area. (I highly recommend Noah Sander's book Born-Again Dirt for a better explanation).

That said, I often find that those I’m debating on the issues of
GMO labeling, raw milk, and other small farming rights are the very people I
side with in other political areas. Often I have voted for these people because
MORALLY they are conservative, but in terms of food and agriculture, we are at
opposite ends of the spectrum. This creates strange bedfellows indeed, making the daily battle even more difficult.

I live in one of the most conservative counties in CA, where
agriculture is king. While third in ag for the state, I’m sure it’s one of the top
farming counties in the nation as well. It’s the “Bible Belt” of CA, but at the
same time, Monsanto and it’s subsidiaries, rule. The representative that I support is in line with all my own beliefs EXCEPT when it comes to food. It's so disappointing and can be disheartening. Perhaps you are in a similar situation as well. What should
we do?

Never underestimate the power of the local government. You
have a much greater chance working with a local leader than you’ll ever have
influencing a national one. Form a local lobby group and select a handful of
members to meet with your local representatives. Be respectful, but firm. Know
your stuff and have a prepared written statement of your group’s concerns. I confess, perhaps I am not as active as I could or should be. But I'm doing more today than I was 5 years ago. Today I'm alert. I'm as attentive as time allows. And I am making small steps to be active. I have to... The future of our food is at stake.

Please note: Thank you for practicing kindness and civility. While debate can be a healthy intellectual engagement, comments not in keeping with Eph. 4:29 will be removed.

75 comments:

Thank you for your courageous post. Our family has begun growing our own food in the last couple years for just the reasons you state. So many do not understand the historical concept that whoever controls the food, controls the people.

Brace yourself. Speaking the truth often brings a flood of negativity.

Thanks for sharing all this valuable information. I appreciate it. I am on the same page as you are. I am Ultra Conservative, but not nearly as informed. I really enjoyed watching Food Inc. and Farmageddon. You have just given me a few websites to help keep myself informed. I never heard the latest on Monsanto. It's crazy to think these few companies have so much power, but it's reality. A very sad reality. Keep up the good work of being political in homesteading.

Thank you for this post! I really enjoy reading your blog.Here in Wisconsin we used to be able to buy cow shares at a farm that would sell raw milk to those who bought the shares. However, now even that is illegal. It makes me so angry that all the so-called foods in the stores, which are nothing even close to what real food is, are okay to sell, but raw milk is illegal. And don't even get me started on all the other government rules and regulations that have really done nothing but strip us of freedoms we used to have.And thank you for your explanation of where you stand politically; it pretty much matches me to a "T". I also run into a problem of who to vote for, but generally use the moral issues such as abortion to make my choice.

EXCELLENT post. And you've given THIS ultra-conservative a lot to think about! Very eye-opening. I'm super motivated to be a good steward of the beautiful ten acres God has blessed us with.

Last year I think you posted some good sources for non-GMO seeds, right? I tried to search your blog and couldn't find that post. Would you mind doing a refresher post on that since spring is on the horizon?

Thank you for this. Living in a state where ag is king (Iowa) these are issues we deal with every day. It is rather surprising how our morally conservative officials are not on the same level with us on farming.

I agree with you 100% on every political side you take. I realize human life is much more valuable than the environment so I do everything I can to speak out for the sanctity of life and doing what I can to protect the environment. We must continually ask God for wisdom, seeking His ways, and impacting the culture around us for good...being salt and light in a very dark and decaying world.

You are so right, Amy! It is hard to mention anything politics on our homesteading blogs, but in reality, we all need to be aware that things might change in the future while we go along clueless about our rights being stripped away. I shared something via my personal page that said something like, "You might not be interested in politics, but that doesn't mean politics won't be interested in you." Wake up people! I also understand the struggle of who to support and am with you. Biblical and moral views come first in my book, environmental/small farm support second!

Amen! I am in perfect agreement with your political stands. The family farmer (and the backyard farmer) is under attack and I don't think most people are aware of it. My more liberal friends think that this administration supports their farmer's markets and their homesteading, and that is not true.

When debating with otherwise like-minded conservatives, it doesn't help that generally respected theologians like Dough Wilson teach that God doesn't care (and doesn't want you to care) whether your food is organic or not. It's all I can do to sit through the videos while he says it doesn't matter to the animals whether they were raised organically or not- they all meet the same end, or that he believes we should be learning how to engineer steak from petroleum to have the ultimate steak-experience, or that industrial farming is the only way to feed billions of people, etc... It ruffles my feathers on a multitude of levels, but it definitely makes educating and informing others a more difficult job. Anyway, I've noticed that you often take some heat for getting political and I appreciate your boldness in doing it anyway!

I appreciate this post so much! How could anyone even think AG is not political. Listen to the voices of Joel Salatin and Michael Pollen. They are on the front lines. A few months back I was at Dulles airport in Washington DC waiting for a connecting flight. I was surprised that banners the size of my barn (okay, slight exaggeration, but you get the point) were all over the place for Monsanto!!! Coming from MA, which is super liberal, I had never seen blatant lobbying from them in any of the airports here. Why? Because the powers that be are in Washington DC and Monsanto has a lot of them in their pocket. We need to fight to take back our food system, the labeling and what garbage is added and fed to all of us! So, Amy, keep bringing this subject up and enlightening people:-) God bless!!!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I know I need to be more 'active' and aware. It's amazing the changes in our country from the back yard farmer to the corporate!I appreciate the links~

Excellent article. I've also been shouting at the rooftop concerning these issues. The name of the page is: Financial Coup d'état? - We Must Decentralize? - What Does This Mean? and Who's Your Farmer? Here's a link to the page:

EXCELLENT post Amy! I could not agree more. I, too, am in the same boat with you politically. I am "beyond conservative" when it comes to abortion, moral issues, and guns. However, I greatly differ with my conservative friends with it comes to raw milk, and Big Ag... I think many of them aren't quite sure what to do with me. ;) Definitely going to check out the Born Again Dirt book. And sharing this post on FB!

Amy,An awesome, thoughtful post! I was recently reminded of a long line of "prophets"--including L.H. Bailey (http://www.tumbledownfarm.com/drupal/Holy_Earth/the_honest_days_work), who saw the moral dangers of the transition in agriculture a full century before they appeared in fact, dangers that are now being realized.

I share your political views. Being responsible and good stewards can often across as being a liberal environmentalist, which I am not either. However, the more I read about what is going into our foods, the more I think that IS a moral issue. My husband and I are educating ourselves and figuring out the best ways we can grow/obtain healthy foods for our family. Thank you for your post and for your blog. It is inspiring to us.

I so agree, being aware is so important. As a family we have these discussions. I want my children to know how important our freedoms are to us. Not to take lightly the encroachment of large government, just because they will take care of you...you take care of you, families take care of each other, neighbors watch out for one another. I loved this post, some good reading! God Bless, Jane

Thank you for a well thought out explanation of the political aspects of food. I fall into the same political and religious world view as you, including food. I also "cross" over when it comes to seeking non traditional healthcare (nutrition, but not acupuncture, etc.) I used to live in California, but now live in a rural-ish county in North Carolina. Others find our point of view odd because big Ag (and big Pharma) are so ingrained in our society.

The irony of chemical companies (Monsanto, Cargill, DuPont, etc.)running our food suppy?! That alone should send off major warning bells to everyone. Sadly the truth is that the average American is so far remove from the production of their food that they have no idea the conditions that food is raise in or the impact it has on their own health. Our food is making us sick if we are eating from the local market. Now even shopping the outer egdes of the market can and will make you sick.

Amen! Excellent! These are the days that future generations will recognize as being perhaps the most critical times in history. We cannot afford to sleep through it, or we will awaken from our dreams to find we have awaken to a nightmare.

How we all wish that we could just tend to our gardens and our chickens and block out the rest of the world from our minds. Unfortunately, real life doesn't work that way. We MUST be alert and aware and active.

Enjoy the sunrise. Smell the roses. Marvel at the miracle of birth. But know that there are those who would destroy it all in a vain attempt to satisfy their own greed. If we want to continue enjoying this life that God has given us - and ensure the same to our grandchildren - then we cannot ignore our responsibility to maintain and defend it. Our ancestors understood and made the necessary sacrifices - so must we.

I find myself in a similar situation, except for me the choice is clear, and I make the opposite choice. Although I disagree on some (not all, I am a little more liberal) of the moral choices of the liberals, I think deregulating our food and supporting sustainable food production is far more important than regulating our morals. Example- I think abortion is wrong and anyone who chooses to kill their child is going to have to answer to God for it. But I will always vote for a person who is pro-organic or who supports raw dairy even if he or she is pro-choice. One affects myself and my family directly, the other doesn't. And I also believe that the moral stance of most Republicans is purely smoke and mirrors to get us "on board" for the rest and vote for them. The middle of the country has historically voted based purely on moral issues and in the process voted for candidates that are directly against their own interests. I do realize that it's a hard decision, though.

Also, I LOVE your series of questions for conventional farmers, I just wish that more conventional farmers would read them! My parents are conventional farmers and I've been needling them here and there for years but they ignore me- unfortunately (well, and fortunately) they do really well so the financial angle doesn't work for them.

I'm learning, and becoming more aware one baby step at a time at the level I am at, trying to support the local farmer and less the big giant who gets their produce from ?????...One step at a time. Thinking more about the food we put on our tables, and the overall impact, growing a small garden, organic... Thank you for helping us to alert,active and aware of what is going on...The word needs to get out, before there is nothing we have control of anymore.

Hear, hear, Amy! We are right beside you! It's appalling how much control the government and corporations have over our right to good and wholesome food. Thanks for a well-written post about a very timely topic.Marie

We are 100% with you in Linn Valley, Kansas. Trying to buy mostly sale food items, working on gardening and hoping to get back to canning. Trying to teach my daughter some skills to benefit her family in the future. We are even making our own baby food for their 6 month old as I did for her when she was a baby. Keep up your good works. They are really appreciated. You were recommend to me by a very special lady.

Politics touches EVERY single area of our lives and it's by sticking our heads in the sand, we conservatives (and Christians) are in such a terrible fix. Our beliefs are very similar except I might be more conservative. Big Ag Corporations virtually control our agricultural universities and colleges; they "fund" chairs and then tell the universities how to teach.Some years back, Monsanto was run out of rural India because they tried to "buy" water rights; farmers took pitchforks and other farm implements and chased them off their land. Whoever controls food and water, controls the people.

I learned something. I didn't think there were any conservatives left in California.What Gretchen said, I was going to say, too. Whoever controls the food, controls the people. Sad, but true.Bless you and yours. ♥

Thank you for spreading awareness of the rapid loss of control of our food supply in this country. Another good link for you and your readers is http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/ It amazes me how countries like Peru can pass a ten year BAN on genetically modified foods, yet we can't even get labeling laws passed here in the US. Truth is Monsanto cronies are rampant in our government. I've heard firsthand, even if a farmer wanted to change their practices they can't...once you sign with Monsanto to buy and grow their seed, it's like a deal with the devil. They will shut a farm down in a heartbeat if that farmer tries to get out of a contract. It's all very, very sad and frustrating indeed.

Hi Stacy, I'm not going to state on the internet where I heard that information. Monsanto is a large corporation, the internet is fraught with numerous articles showing their legal strength and I will not risk divulging anyone's name. You did teach me a good lesson, however - to be careful what second hand information I pass along without knowing 100 percent if it's true. If you've not had any problems with them, good for you. I hope you never do. Thanks for the slap on the wrist.

Thank you, Amy. I respect you, agree with your views, and read your blog regularly. Thank you for writing a clear and wise overview of these issues. I will continue to keep you in my prayers -- the work you are doing is so important.

Hi there! I JUST came across your blog when I was looking for info on milking goats (your blog has been VERY helpful) and thought I'd chime in with my own thoughts...

I absolutely agree that our freedoms, especially with food, are in jeopardy. I live in Jersey and it drives me absolutely crazy that it's already illegal here to buy or sell raw milk. It should be my choice what to choose to drink, but our government has already decided that it's not. This year especially I've been trying to only buy my fruits and veggies from our local farm market and now we have an Amish market locally too so we buy pretty much everything else from there - I love it! We also have our own chickens too which is great.

As far as politics goes I grew up very conservative and while morally I am still very much conservative I consider myself a libertarian. I've found myself much more backing having smaller government who lets individuals make their own decisions (like whether or not to drink raw milk - hah!), and businesses not having to deal with hundreds or thousands of rules that are constantly changing. I wish I could say that other conservatives believe the same but it really does seem that both democrats and republicans only continue to grow the size and control of government.

Personally, libertarianism just made so much more sense to me - even from a Christianity standpoint. God gave us free will to chose and I don't see why government should be getting in the way of that. If you're ever curios about more libertarian sort of things, John Stossel has a show on Fox that is absolutely great.

Just my opinion! You write very well - will definitely be following your blog:)

Thank you for taking time to address this. Christians should be concerned with God's creation. It's too bad that it needs to be such a "liberal" stand. It shouldn't be so. The environment should be a concern to all, with God's perspective on how we should be farming. Only His ways work.

I agree with you completely, and I had no idea that buying a share in a goat or cow for raw milk was illegal in some parts. Thank the good Lord that it is still legal in Colorado. I've decided that this year we will make a concerted effort to grow our own food this summer and support local farms. We do buy from our local organic grocer who supports local organic farms, but they don't have a huge selection. I've always had anxiety dealing with the public in new situations, so it was easier for me to buy from a local chain store than it was to go to my local farmers and take a tour and learn about their produce. That stops here. Colorado has a short growing season. Prices go through the roof in the off season. I really dislike buying non-organic, but sometimes it is all we can afford. Yet, non-organic prices have shot through the roof so much that we find lower prices in our local organic grocer quite a bit nowadays. So I'm able to buy more and more, which I totally love. It helps that I've helped educate my husband on the benefits of organic, and he is pretty much totally on board. We will also begin canning this year, so that we won't be reliant on buying fruits and veggies when they aren't in season.

I'm also into natural remedies. I see so many people I love dying of cancer, and they don't know about natural cancer centers and remedies, like the soursop fruit, which kills cancer cells 10,000 times better than chemotherapy and leaves the healthy cells in tact. They don't know because big Pharma was not able to synthesize soursop, so after seven years of study, they dropped it and didn't inform anyone to just try the version God created. It's very frustrating.

I very much believe in the sanctity of life. I believe in our right to choose, but I believe unborn children have rights and should be protected from the moment of conception. I'm sure they would choose life, as those I've come across who are survivors of failed abortions do. God knits us together in our mother's womb. We have souls from the beginning. Praise the Lord.

Sanctity of life. When our lives don't thrive because our food is not God-quality, that impinges on our sanctity of life, in my opinion. If people would stop buying conventionally farmed food (is it really food?) and only buy locally and organic, or grow their own food and can for the winter, Big Ag will have no choice but to take notice. My goal is to be a homesteader within a few years. Currently I work for a railroad at a steel mill. This morning, I was looking out over the sunrise (I chose to work graveyard recently for stress and health reasons since I have Fibromyalgia) and as I watched the smoke billowing up into the sky from the furnace and other mills, I asked myself what I was doing working there. My company is wonderful. They are caring, they pay well, insurance is wonderful and they allow many alternative forms of healthcare, so it is pretty huge for me to wonder what I'm supporting by working there. Perhaps I need to be more involved with my company to work on getting cleaner air practices in place.

Long ago, 98% of businesses were family-owned. Now, only a handful exist that can be defined in that manner. I should have been more informed so that I could take a stand earlier, but better late than never, I suppose? Thank you for this wonderful article. Thank you for speaking your mind.

I am on the other side of the isle politically, but have the same concerns as you do. I am pro-life, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, Liberal. I know the Bible says that we are stewards of the earth, not owners. I don't think we should be using his creation as a dumping ground for toxic chemicals.

A few years ago, I started becoming concerned about what was in the products we buy to feed our families, so I grew a garden. I also, started making my own soap, because of severe reactions to the chemicals in commercial soaps. Then I got a dehydrator.

I doubt if we are very far apart in views. I do think that the powers that be have an advantage if they keep us apart. If political systems can keep God's people apart, or arguing about non issues, we are less effective.

Very well said! I find myself in your position so often. Let's face it, politics do impact every area of life, and if we stick our heads in the sand and pretend that it "just ain't so," we will wake up to a world that we never wanted. Blessings to you and yours.

Follow the money--true here as well as nearly everywhere else. Monsanto and their ilk are not just taking over the food supply here, but around the world. They want control of garden seeds as well as seeds for crops--with both markets held hostage where will we be? Don't think that we can just save our own--although the case pending before the Supreme Court could help us there--but if they can keep farmers from saving seed, gardeners won't have a chance.I don't intend to offend anyone, but if we don't take care of the environment, human life is going to be in dire straits.

Appreciate your words and agree with you on so much of it. I'm not as involved as I should be...but like you I know that politics plays a key role in many of the things we homesteaders are trying to do. I like the idea of taking a chunk of time to research the facts.

Thank you so much for this post, very well written. I will be sharing it in hopes the awareness spreads and more people go back to their roots of homesteading, which I think is a much healthier and more enjoyable way of life anyways. I really feel like this is a time period of people 'waking up' so to speak and actually paying attention to what is going on around them, because truly, it is amazing and horrifying what you find out once you start looking into everything.

Well said Amy, as usual. We are in the same boat, so let's all keep rowing. Like you, I am not willing to give up. I am working to start a homesteading collaborative up here (following your example) and am sharing any good resources I have with my new friends ie: Azure, and CSAs. I have joined an edible gardens group, and am moving forward to prepare my new place for a few dairy goats and a jersey milk cow this summer. I have made friends with some nice grass fed beef farmers across the street and am learning more about a whole foods diet. I am reading and gathering books about homeopathic medicine and trying to learn all I can to be a resource to family, friends and neighbors.

Thanks Amy for planting the seed to do so much more than before... you are an inspiration.

I can't help but think it's a little bit silly to think we can keep politics out of homesteading - isn't it true that homesteaders choose their lifestyle predominantly *because* of political reasons? It seems to me that many of us do it because we don't trust the govt. to produce our food, or aren't able to purchase the sorts of food we want to feed our family (raw milk for one example) or we don't want to support the Big Ag guys that are supplying the grocery stores with food or we don't want to live in cities anymore that are ruled by liberal laws and are full of violence or we prefer rural areas because the folks there are more like minded to us politically and we want raise our children in that environment, or we have beliefs that our country is going to fall sooner than later and we want to be able to feed ourselves when that happens, etc. etc.

All that being said, I don't ever post anything political in my blog. Partially because I just don't spend as much time in my blog (mostly I just post a lot of cute farmy pictures :p), and also because my political views are pretty extreme and would cause a lot of people to leave angry comments. I am way too sensitive to be able to handle that.

I agree with you completely and thank you for sharing truth and information. I do not think that the TRUTH is political at all. I cherish each email I get from you. Thank you for being you and and keep up the good works. God surround you with Love.

GIRL! You have done it again!!!!I agree with EVERYTHING you have said! And look at that - you didn't even make anyone mad yet. I hope you don't mind but I cut and pasted the entire post onto my Facebook page. You are SO right about choosing to defend the unborn babies first and foremost with our vote but then being left cold by those pro-life lawmakers and their views on our food. Grrrrrr......I love this post and while I was reading it my huge order from Seed Savers Exchange arrived! WOOHOO!Love,Angela

Hi there, I just stumbled onto your blog and am so incredibly thankful i did! I am now your next follower. What a honest and excellent post. I totally agree with you and find myself in similar conversations, often. Knowledge is power and i can't help think if people actually knew what was happening with big Ag and the enormous and expanding control they are acquiring there would be enough concern to try and make a change.

What an awesome post! I agree with somany of your points. We need to stop the GMO's but it will not happen till we can impact our purchasing power with GMO labels on food. We have our gardens and the difference in produce flavor is shocking! Now I'm reading about the state wanting to control the size of home gardens as we may not be following safew practices! Gah!

Amy, I completely agree with you. Not just about the food issues, but on the political parts too. I am not a food expert by any means & GMO just dosen't sound right to me. Your resources for educating ourselves sounds like a good place to start. The political part is quite frustrating too...I live in south east Georgia...Right smack dab! in the middle of the Bible belt & I come across the same issues that you do. It seems that being a Christian in our "little" Genesis group has made us peculiar. But God did say, that we will be a peculiar people & precious to Him (Exodus 19:5). Thank you for continuing our education.

Amy, I am amazed at how many people don't even know about some of these issues! I think homesteading and politics can't be separated no matter how you look at it. Our country has lost freedoms when no one was paying attention. So if us homesteaders can get the attention of the others and let them know what is going on, then we should.

First, Thank you for having the courage to stand up for what you believe. We need more of that in this 'yes' culture. Second, I love your 'mission' statement. Something I would hang on my frig for a daily reminder. Now, going to go check out Kate's blog. Love this one so much! ~Erika @ MishMashedMe

Amen, amen, amen! Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to the wind when I share thoughts on this subject (; Many don't seem to notice what is happening - it's on the forefront for us right now in SC because we're trying to fight to keep raw milk legal. If we don't think the government is overstepping, ask the fisherman up in MA. New federal regulations are threatening the fishing industry of New England...these are family owned small businesses that are now looking at the possibility of closing doors.

My political views have changed over the last few years as my concern has grown due to both parties growing big government (which means growing big business and control over our choices). I made the slow move from Republican to Independent to becoming a Libertarian. Much like you, I have conservative views regarding abortion, gun rights, religion, free speech and less government, but also know that being a good steward of God's earth is greatly important. And so the Libertarian party seemed to be that perfect fit. Thank you so much for writing this post and encouraging others to be alert, attentive and to get active (;

Love this post. Keep posting about it. The more I learn about our government and big business, the more disturbing the facts. I can't change the government but I can alter big business with how I choose to spend my money. For me, it's avoiding MONSANTO foods and products. It's buying local, organic foods and growing as much food as I can. I hope more people become aware of the evils of big business and big pharmaceutical companies. Thank you.

I really like your blog and your homesteading tips. I am supportive of everyone who takes a proactive approach to their choices regardless of their political views. It would help me out a lot if you could clear up some things. As a Christian, why do you feel that it is important for people to own guns? As a pro-lifer, how do you plan to care for the unwanted children that have resulted from unplanned pregnancies? These are genuine questions and I do not mean to offend, only to gain a better understanding of your views and perhaps give you an opportunity to further define and articulate the reasoning behind your beliefs.

Thanks for stopping by... glad you enjoy the blog. As for the gun ownership and being a Christian, I am still free to target practice, hunt, and even defend myself. Space does not permit me to go into detail explaining this but perhaps a post on it in the future would be a good idea.

As for being pro-life and unwanted children... my husband and I have adopted 3 children and would have adopted more, but he started having symptoms that turned out to be Parkinson's disease (early onset). Health issues really took center stage and we were not able to adopt more although we would have liked to.

I'm not sure I agree about there being "unwanted" children. Typically, they ARE wanted, but placement is difficult... especially with governments that use orphaned/abandoned children as political pawns and for financial gain. I believe more Christians (and non-Christians) would adopt if finances and red tape weren't such an issue. And many birthmothers WANT to keep their children, but are unable to do so for various reasons. I commend them for carrying their children to term and doing what they can, often making great sacrifices to do so.

Thanks for the questions. I appreciate a good civil discussion (where both parties are respectful) even if we don't agree. :-)

Well said! Keep it up, especially on the demonic issue of abortion. You didn't even mention the sick torturous practices of our Western civilization to genetically-modify living creatures like chickens. We are losing our humanity. Go veggie. :)

Thank you Amy. Political engagement cannot be stressed enough because we are fighting an uphill battle. Take the case of (anonymous), who three times ran for office here in Virginia and three times lost. Why? Lack of big corporate funding to get his message out. He believes like we do, but not like the deep pockets do. He spent a life's fortune on those campaigns, and soon enough his message will be forgotten. I would suggest that being politically active is perhaps the most vitally needed activity for like minded people. If we are not willing to get active we are making the default proclamation that we trust the leaders that we have representing us. And judging by their actions, this suggests that we are waging a war by proxy on ourselves and other Christians by not taking action. Image that, we are waging war on ourselves. Thank you Amy for bringing light to the subject.

Thank you for visiting Homestead Revival™! Please feel free to contribute to the conversation by leaving your comments. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Eph. 4:29